ABOUT
With over 30 years at the intersection of public policy, business strategy and the experience economy, Kate has shaped some of the most significant policy decisions facing the UK's £140bn hospitality sector, securing billions in government support during its most difficult period.
Now chairing UKHospitality and ACC Liverpool, with board positions across the public and private sector.
A Cambridge graduate, regular BBC, Sky and Channel 4 commentator, and keynote speaker across the UK and internationally.
"Our experience economy is hiding in plain sight. It's at the heart of our economic and cultural life, yet undervalued and ignored by politicians, policy makers and the public."
SPEAKING
Keynote speaker on the experience economy, public policy and workforce. Regular appearances on BBC, Sky, Channel 4, The Times and the FT.
ADVISORY
Board-level experience across public and private sectors on strategic communications, government relations and crisis management.
ADVOCACY
Three decades shaping legislation and building coalitions across Westminster, Whitehall and industry.
Beginning in the House of Commons and European Parliament as a Political Researcher, Kate built her expertise in food safety, licensing, and EU policy. She then moved to Whitbread Plc as Government Relations Manager, advising at board level on regulatory strategy and supporting major M&A activity across the UK and EU.
As Director at Politics International and then founder and Managing Director of NL Communications, Kate established herself as a go-to adviser on government relations, strategic communications, and crisis management. She delivered £800k in first-year turnover and sold her majority interest having trebled the business.
As CEO of CoPSO, Kate devised a confederation structure that united three trade bodies and ran a successful political campaign securing legal recognition for private sector property searches. She then joined ALMR as Strategic Affairs Director before becoming CEO, tripling membership and revenue and expanding the association to include a new casual dining segment.
A Mayoral appointee as Chair of the London Night-Time Commission, Kate produced the first strategic report on London's night-time economy. She also served on the Metropolitan Police Business Crime Board and co-chaired the Government's Tourism Advisory Board, where she devised the Let's Do London campaign delivering £32 return for every £1 spent.
Kate spearheaded the merger that created UKHospitality - the unified voice for 95% of the UK's £140bn hospitality sector. She secured billions in government support during COVID, drove landmark policy wins on VAT, business rates, and furlough, and launched major workforce development and digital innovation programmes. In 2020, Kate received an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to hospitality.
Kate now serves as Chair of UKHospitality, Chair of ACC Liverpool, Chair of the Institute of Licensing, and NED at RSA Adelphi Services, alongside trusteeships at Springboard and Hospitality Action. She continues to advise government, industry, and civil society on the future of the experience economy.
IN THE PRESS
The Times
The Times Featured - Kate Nicholls: ‘Hospitality just can’t absorb these cost increases’
PRWeek Power Book
PRWeek Named among the UK's top communications performers by the PR elite.
PRWeek Communicators of the Year
PRWeek Listed among the UK's top communicators of the year.
Green Street News
Shah on property: strong leadership key as industry’s lobbying supergroup comes together